 Poster: A snowHead
|
I'm a first time poster so apologies if this topic is in the wrong place.
My better half is an incredibly nervous skier convinced that if she can't see what's off the edge of a piste she going straight off into an abyss. She likes her pistes wide, slow and in a bowl! Sounds a bit OTT I know, but I've come to think it's no odder than me being scared of a house spider.....
We went to Courchevel 1850 in December and she was very happy on the cruisy greens and blues that run down into the resort. We've some friends who are trying to persuade us to go to Les Arc 1950 next winter. The area above Les Arcs 1950, below Col de la Chal, looks like it's pretty much a big bowl with some easy blues (Plan Vert, Plan des Eaux), but that's just based on the map!
Has anyone got first hand experience of both resorts and are able to share their thoughts?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
theboyscreech, yup, get her some lessons with a top instructor. Welcome to snowHeads btw 
|
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
|
We stayed in Arc 1800 so skied the same runs you're talking about. Whilst it didn't leave much of an impact for being easy I don't recall it being to steep either.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Sorry, can't advise on choice of resort as I've not been to Arc 1950. But of all the places I have been, none have been as suitable as Courchevel 1850 for someone like your better half.
But yes, the choice of ski instructor is more important than choice of resort. Lots of lessons with the right person.
Welcome to SHs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
|
Courchevel every time for the nervous skier LA does not have the same snow farming or the extent of wide open pistes at 1950.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
| theboyscreech wrote: |
We went to Courchevel 1850 in December and she was very happy on the cruisy greens and blues that run down into the resort. We've some friends who are trying to persuade us to go to Les Arc 1950 next winter. The area above Les Arcs 1950, below Col de la Chal, looks like it's pretty much a big bowl with some easy blues (Plan Vert, Plan des Eaux), but that's just based on the map!
Has anyone got first hand experience of both resorts and are able to share their thoughts?
|
Spent a season in Les Arcs and over a month skiing the 3v over the years
Those blues are pretty easy and the access to the col is straightforward, drop down to marmottes and up and then down to arcabule. My concern (for a timid skier) is the throughput and the number of skiers going past - trying to get somewhere. col de la chal is one of the linking points for 2 key lifts (arcabule / transarc) and whilst there are other routes between resorts it's often used as a link through spot - for example for those going back to the Vanoise Express (link to la plagne)
Ok so this is a busy Sunday, but this is the lift area at col de la chal (click on photo for larger)
There's a bit more of a feel for the topography here - this is the view up to col de la chal from the Arcabule chair - the piste beyond the hut is the bottom of tuffes, followed by plagnettes
If I was going to les arcs then I'd go for Peisey-Vallandry - a little more out to oneside of the resort (trips to la plagne not with-standing) and possibly the widest ever 'improver area' just above the main lifts out of Plan-Peisey or Vallandry (under the 2300 lift as per piste map).
Whilst the blues back are somewhat 'cat-tracky' - they are resonably wide and most people manage them fine, and if she progresses then the reds down are pretty tame compared to most.
But yes after all that I might 'stick with what you known' and spend some money on lessons, so that as her skills improve, hopefully the confidence does too. If you're going to C1850, then look for Ski New Gen or ski Marmalade for lessons (if you book privates they should come across to your valley)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thanks all for the useful feedback everyone. C1850 looking favourite again. I should have added that she's had plenty of lessons, one to one and group, and has very sound basic technique. It's all in her head. Maybe she should try a hypnotist, or perhaps just a couple of vin chauds...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I was a nervous skier (still am just on steeper slopes now). I found the only thing for it was to keep skiing and skiing to build my confidence. I found Courchevel 1850 great for my nervous disposition and if it is too busy you can always pop over to 1650 which is quieter and has lots of blues (maybe skip the first half of the grand bosses blue if you go to 1650 as there is a steepish/narrowish section (for a blue) on it.
I have used Ski New Gen in Courchevel and found them to be excellent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
|
I would say many blues in les Arcs are cat-tracky, flat and narrow and some prone to having wan$ers schussing them. If your other half is nervous but got on well in Courchevel 1850, I would have thought no brainer to go back to same place again and build confidence on familiar slopes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
^ definitely this. The greens in C1850 are excellent. Stick with what you know.
|
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
|
theboyscreech, one would also miss Chalet De Pierres, Bistro du Praz and the Hotel to stay in, le Peupliers which is in le Praz a bubble ride away from 1850 but the charm of a village in 1350, the ski jump and the end of two great blacks you will avoid with its alternative route or a short bus ride on the free bus from 1850.
|
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
If you did want to try somewhere new arc 1950 would be a good choice though - I loved it when I was nervy. The runs from plagnettes/alpettes would be fine and taken all the way to pre st esprit are long so feel like proper skiing, not running on a treadmill. Mont blanc to 1600 is also good, and the blue which crosses all the way to peisey from bois d'ours is not at all fear inducing either, so she'd be able to get around. Some runs are cat tracky, but when I was nervous i LIKED cat tracky, as long as it didn't have a steep edge above the treeline, and some of the others are lovely.
C1850 probably does have the edge due to superior grooming in particular, but as long as not a peak week I can't see why 1950 wouldn't work as an alternative, and it might be good to stop a lock in on "i can only ski on these 6 runs in this resort in the WHOLE WORLD" 
aj xx
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
